Free Online Lockout Tagout Resources: FAQs, Course Samples, and More

Every year, OSHA puts out a lot of the 10 standards that are most frequently cited. Here's a list of OSHA's Top Ten in 2016. Lockout-Tagout/Hazard Energy Control is on that 2016 list, and so we've got some online lockout tagout training resources for you here--plus more.

Many of the same standards appear on the list again and again, year after year. As a result, we've pulled together a series of blogs to help you train your workers about each of the ten most cited standards. In this one, as we said, we've got lots of information about lockout tagout, and lots of online lockout tagout training materials for you.

Let us know if you've got some other resources you'd suggest. The comments field awaits your input.

The Need for Online Lockout Tagout Training Courses

As the OSHA citation data below shows, we've got a lot of work to do to lockout machines better and control hazardous energy more effectively. Training's not the whole solution, but it can clearly contribute. We recommend using online lockout tagout training courses along with other forms of lockout training in a blended learning safety training solution for the most effective lockout training.

Here's a look at the OSHA lockout citation data:

Total citations- 3,406, a little more than 2015's total of 3,308. This is the only standard on the 2016 list that saw an increase in citations from 2015 instead of a decrease.

Ranking in previous year- #5 (same as this year)

Top five sections cited-

1. 1910.147(c)(4)(i) Establishing and training employees on energy control procedures, 644 citations
2. 1910.147(c)(1) Energy control program, 440 citations
3. 1910.147(c)(6)(i) Annual periodic inspection of energy control procedure, 376 citations
4. 1910.147(c)(7)(i) Employee training on purpose and function of energy control program, 289 violations
5. 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A) Each authorized employee shall receive training, 196 violations

Online Lockout Tagout Training Courses

We've got four short samples of four e-learning courses related to lockout/tagout and control of hazardous energy for you below. Check 'em out, they're all cool (they use 3D and other neat animation techniques and more).

First, here's a sample of our Lockout Tagout training course for authorized employees. We've broken the lockout training into two courses for two different lockout roles-authorized and affected employees.

Here's a sample of our Lockout Tagout Training for affected employees course, the "companion" of our lockout for affected employees online course.

Because lockout tagout can sometimes include having to perform a line break, we've also included a sample of our online Line Breaking Safety training course.

Likewise, hazardous energy control sometimes includes blocking and cribbing, so here's a short sample from our online Blocking and Cribbing Heavy Equipment training course.

Lockout/Tagout FAQs

We've also pulled together this list of lockout tagout FAQs and some answers and resources for you. Hope you find this all helpful.

What’s the regulation again?

1910.147

What kind of energy sources must be controlled?

All sources of hazardous energy must be controlled. This includes:

• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Hydraulic
• Pneumatic
• Chemical
• Thermal
• Other energy sources

Are there also requirements to protect employees working on electrical circuits and equipment?

Yes, 1910.333 includes requirements when employees are working on electrical circuits and equipment.

The section requires that these workers follow safe work practices, which includes using proper lockout/tagout procedures. These requirements are in effect anytime an employee is exposed to electrical hazards when working on, near, or with conductors or systems that use electric energy.

Why is it important to control hazardous energy sources?

Ultimately, for the same reason it's important to follow all safety/health regulations: people can get hurt if you're not.

According to an OSHA Fact Sheet, complying with the lockout/tagout standard saves 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries every year. And those injured workers would have spent an average of 24 days out of work recovering. So there are plenty of good reasons to do this.

What can/must an employer do to keep employees protected and safe from hazardous energy sources?

As an employer, you should:

• Develop, document, implement, and enforce energy control procedures
• Have lockout/tagout devices that are specifically intended for use with particular equipment and machinery
• Make sure those lockout/tagout devices are effective, standardized, durable, and substantial.
• Make sure lockout devices correctly identify individual users
• Use lockout devices on all equipment that can be locked out
• Allow employees to use tagout devices instead of lockout devices only if the energy control program provides employee protection that's equal to or better than the protection a lockout device would provide
• Develop a tagout policy if machines and equipment can't be locked out
• Develop a policy that allows only the employee who installed a lockout device to remove it
• Inspect your energy control procedures at least annually
• Provide effective lockout/tagout training to your employees
• Ensure that all new or overhauled equipment can be locked out
• Comply with all other energy control provisions in OSHA standards when machines or equipment must be tested or repositioned, or when outside contractors work at the site, or in group lockout situations, or during shift and personnel changes

What do employees have to know?

Your training must ensure that employees (1) know, (2) understand, and (3) follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control procedures.

The training must cover (at least):

• Aspects of your energy control program
• Elements of the energy control procedure relevant to each employee's duties or assignment
• The various requirements of the OSHA standards related to lockout/tagout

Does OSHA have a Safety & Health Topic webpage for energy control hazards and regulations?

Yes, here is a list of regulations, hazards, and resources related to lockout/tagout and the control of hazardous energy.

Does OSHA have any eTools for the energy control (lockout/tagout) regulations?

Why yes! Here is OSHA's Lockout-Tagout eTool.

Does OSHA have a free downloadable fact sheet to help me control these hazards?

You betcha. Check out OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Fact Sheet.

What about NIOSH? Do they offer resources too?

Glad you asked. Learn more about using Lockout/Tagout procedures to prevent injury during machine maintenance.

We've also got a free download below if you're looking for online safety training solutions but don't know how to find the one that's best for your workplace.

Any Other Lockout Resources You'd Recommend?

Here's a good explanation of Lockout/Tagout from our friends at AmpAuthority.